I believe that the conversation matters. If in the attempt to realize the reign of God on earth, we cannot engage one another in respectful and grace-filled dialogue, we might as well not even try.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

It's Noteworthy: Women in Leadership

I experienced two events over the weekend that I took for
granted, but are actually very noteworthy. It is also noteworthy, I think, that
I took them for granted. The two events were simple, routine ministry events. I
did a wedding and sang at a funeral. That’s it, and the everyday-ness of them
is an important part of their significance.

The wedding was held at another United Methodist church, and
the pastor of that church graciously extended an invitation to me to preside. The
funeral was also held at another United Methodist Church, and the pastor of that
church similarly invited me to sing during the service.

(Side note: Neither
was a previous church of mine, so we did not violate the UM policy about not
returning to previous appointments.)

Here’s what I have realized is noteworthy about those two
events – both of the lead pastors in these other congregation happen to be
women. Now to me, and to United Methodists in general, this is no big deal.
This is take-it-for-granted level stuff. Of course women are in leadership
roles, and at every level of the church.

But in the mix of what passes these days for “public
discourse” in America, the role of women in leadership happens to be a very big
deal indeed. The current presidential campaign is shining a light on the topic,
in fact. The sexist double standard that is being applied by many people is
overt, easy to spot, and frankly appalling.

I am embarrassed and disgusted when I hear people dismiss
derogatory, sexist language as just “locker room talk.” “Boys will be boys” is
not a cute expression; it is stereotyping, demeaning, and contributes to a
culture that excuses the abhorrent behavior of far too many men, far too often.
Words matter, and cannot be minimized as being “only words.” There’s no such
thing as “only words.”

Sometimes though, ugly words can yield a positive result. Of
all that has happened this summer and autumn of 2016, one of the most profound
has been the wave of women who have been empowered to publicly share their
story (or stories) of being sexually assaulted. This was the silver lining to
the otherwise dark cloud that was a recording of one man bragging to another
about sexually assaulting any woman he wanted to at any time. Sexual assault
statistics are staggering, and the women’s stories are dragging the issue to
the surface, where it can be seen and confronted with honesty and righteous indignation.

What really gets me, though, is how many people are acting
as if this phenomenon is a new thing, which is simply not true. Sexism was not
invented in 2016. The objectification of women is not an innovation of this
campaign season. A double standard has been applied to women in leadership
roles for generations; why have so many people only just now discovered it?

I believe that our essential human unity is deeper than
gender. I believe Scripture is quite clear about this point, in multiple
stories. In fact I believe it is one of the foundational themes of Scripture,
that ALL people, regardless of gender, are created in the divine image, loved
without condition, and promised an abundant and everlasting life.

Which is why those two every day, ordinary ministry events
last weekend were so noteworthy. I
experienced the excellent leadership of two pastors, both of whom happen to be
women. There are denominations in which the gifted leadership of Lori and Laura
would not be welcomed, simply because they are women. Likewise, there are
people in America who think being a woman disqualifies a person from being
president. There are people in our fair city who criticize a woman’s appearance
when they disagree with her ideas (which rarely (if ever) happens to a man, for
some reason).

So I’d like to take a minute to intentionally celebrate the leadership
of two strong, gifted, smart, visionary, gracious, and Spirit-filled pastors,
colleagues, and friends who just happen to be women. Please know that I would
never dare take you for granted. You are awesome!

Maybe one day, after every glass ceiling has been shattered, after women receive equal pay for equal work, after women leaders are the norm rather than the exception ... maybe then it won't be noteworthy any more. But that day has not yet arrived. So everyone take note!